What does Handicap mean in betting?

In betting, Handicap is a market where one side is given a virtual advantage or disadvantage in order to balance the odds and make the line more even. Instead of simply backing the winner, the player is judging whether a team or participant can cover the assigned spread.

How does it work?

If the favorite is set at -1.5, it needs to win by more than just one goal or point margin. If the underdog gets +1.5, a bet on that side can still win even in defeat, as long as the final margin stays inside the line. Because of that, handicap changes the way the event is read: the result alone no longer matters, the margin matters too.

Where is it used?

Handicap is especially common:

• in football;

• in basketball;

• in tennis;

• in other sports where score difference matters.

Why does it matter?

Handicap gives more flexibility than a basic win bet. It allows the player to think not just in straight winners, but in terms of form, tempo, and likely scoring margin. That is why it remains one of the most fundamental markets in sports betting.